Entertainment Extra

Question 1

What was important about the Spina?

Answer 1

at either end were the metae (turning posts)
it would have trophies of conquests - obelisk showing Rome’s victory over Egypt
there were 7 eggs/dolphins to show how many laps were completed

Question 2

What was the pulvinar?

Answer 2

royal box
-also contained a small shrine to the gods

Question 3

What was the pompa?

Answer 3

The procession at the beginning before the chariot races.
Led by the sponsor of the games, followed by the charioteers & horses, then musicians and soldiers who would carry images of gods and goddesses believed to be present at the games.

Question 4

What were charioteers equipped with?

Answer 4

a whip
a knife to cut themselves free of the reins
a tunic of the colour of their faction

Question 5

What was the prize for winning a race?

Answer 5

a palm branch and payments to him and his team (made at the end of the day)

Question 6

What was the morning show at the Arena?

Answer 6

a mimic of a gladiatorial battle with blunt weapons
shows with wild animals & dangerous beasts
animals hunts
animals doing tricks

Question 7

What was the midday show at the Arena?

Answer 7

execution of convicted criminals
- damnati ad bestias (condemned to the beasts)
- could be sent to fight the beasts, or tied to stakes and facing animals such as lions, or perform dangerous tasks with the animals
- could be amusing - some re-enacted famous myths with a twist (Orpheus trying to calm the animals with music and being ripped apart)

Question 8

What was the afternoon show at the Arena?

Answer 8

parade of gladiators with an accompanying orchestra so that they could salute the emperor
gladiator fights
many gladiators were designed to be pitted against each other